Automatic selector for radio receivers



March 1, 1949. J LOLLI ET AL 2,463,290

AUTOMATIC SELECTOR FOR RADIO RECEIVERS Original Filed Feb. l6, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I; fizz ms; Jofl ZOZZL' Gene P600 March 1, 1949. J ET AL 2,463,290

AUTOMATIC SELECTOR FOR RADIO RECEIVERS Original Filed Feb. 16, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 1, 1949. J. LOLLI ET AL 2,463,290

AUTOMATIC SELECTOR FOR RADIO RECEIVERS Original Filed Feb. 16, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet s Maze/Z5115 JfiIZ ZOZZi Gem Papa Z 2 0 3' March 1 LOLL] ET AL AUTOMATIC SELECTOR FOR RADIO RECEIVERS Original Filed Feb. 16, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I] II 23 242 Patented Mar. 1, 1949 AUTOMATIC SELECTOR FOR RADIO RECEIVERS John Lolli and Gene Papitto, Chicago Heights, Ill.,

assignors of one-third to Robert C. Davis, Chicago Heights, Ill.

Substituted for abandoned application Serial No.

126,030, February 16, 1937.

T i application July 16, 1947, Serial No. 7 1,3 4

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to automatic selectors for radio receivers, and is particularly concerned with such selectors as are adapted to permit a user to select a predetermined plurality of stations on the device in such manner that when the radio receiver is energized it will automatically play the stations pro-selected for the predetermined periods of time selected by the user, without any further attention.

The present application is a substitute application, corresponding in claims, drawings, and specification to our prior application, Ser. No. 126,030, filed Febuary 16, 1937 now abandoned.

In the operation of radio receivers many users have a preference for certain programs which they wish to hear every day and Which they may miss due to inattention or failure to turn on the radio receiver at the proper time.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of automatic controlling and tuning devices for radio receivers or the like which are adapted to automatically energize and tune the radio receiver at times predetermined by the selections of the user, so that, if desired, the radio will automatically be turned on at certain times of the day, and the attention of the auditor will be called to the desired radio program by hearing the program from its inception.

Another object is the provision of an improved automatic selector of the class described, which is adapted to permit the user to select any or all of the fifteen minute periods throughout the entire twenty-four hours of the day for operation of the controlled radio receiver, and in which the selection may be changed at will.

Another object is the provision of an automatic selector of the class described, in which the radio receiver may also be operated independently of the selector, if desired.

Another object is the provision of an automatic selector of the class described, which is simple, compact, sturdy, and efiicient, and which is adapted to be applied to existing radio receiver structures.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the four sheets of drawings,

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through an automatic selector, constructed according to the present invention, the section being taken on a vertical plane passing through the axis of the controlling clock;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the controls for such an automatic selector;

Fi 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of one of the selector ratchet wheels, with its adjustable arm and pawl;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sec.- tional view of the switch controlling arm, which is adapted to control the switch which energizes and de-energizes the motor that turns the tuning dial;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the switching arrangement for controlling the motor;

Fig. '7 is a plan View of this fragment of the mechanism, with the supporting plate in section, taken on the plane of the line 'l'l of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram of the automatic selector;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a spring arrangement for returning the screw and follower to its initial position, when it is desired to reset the controlling arms.

Referring first to Fig. 8, in this wiring diagram the rectangle l0 indicates a complete radio receiver having the usual tuning dial, tuning condensers, and all equipment necessary for radio reception. The circuit is energized from the volt electric light power line through the conductors l I, I2 and energi zation may be controlled by the master switch 13. The controlling clock M, which may consist of a synchronous electric clock, or any spring actuated clock, if desired, is preferably energized directly from the line ll, I2 through the conductors l5, [6. The clock I4 is provided with the usual clock dial I! (Fig. 2) and the usual hour and minute hands I8, 19. The face of the control board 25] (Fig. 2) is preferably provided with an annular insulating, supporting member 2|, surrounding the clock dial, for carrying a multiplicity of push button switches, 22.

These push button switches 22 are indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 8, and there is preferably one push button switch for each fifteen minute interval of time throughout the twentyefour hours of the day. The inner circle of push button switches 23 may correspond to the forty-eight fifteen minute intervals of the day from midnight to noon, and the outer circle of push buttons 22 may be for the forty-eight fifteen minute intervals of time from noon until midnight. In order to indicate this, the letters A. M. may be rotary switch. This multiple contact rotary switch has a movable Contact arm 25 which is connected by a conductor 26 to the line H.

One conductor II from the line, which is connected to one contact of each of the switches 22, 23, may be extended through a switch 28 to the radio receiver [0. The other conductor 12 extends directly to the receiver Ill.

A suitable self-starting electric motor 29 has one terminal connected by a conductor 38 and switch 2'! to the line i2, and another terminal connected to the line H by means of conductor 3!, which includes a controlling microswitch 32.

It will be observed that when the switch 28 is closed, the radio receiver I is energized in the usual way and may be operated to select stations by hand. Under these conditions the switch 2i should be open, and therefore the switches 28 and 21 are preferably of an interlocking type or of a double throw switch type, so that switch 28 is closed when the switch 21 is opened, or vice versa. Assuming switch 28 is opened, it will be observed that the radio receiver is then energized through the rotary switch 24, 25, and the push button switches 22, 23. The rotary switch 25 is driven by the motor of the clock l4, and it has a segment 24 for each of the fifteen minute periods for the twelve hours of a half day.

Therefore, when the clock reaches a predetermined time, such as 1:00 oclock, the movable rotary switch arm 25 then rests upon a corresponding contact segment, the length of the segment being sufficient so that that electrical connection is made throughout a period of fifteen minutes, after which the rotary switch arm passes to the next contact segment.

If the push button 22 or 23 for the fifteen minute interval in question has been pushed in so as to close the switch, then that fifteen minute interval is one which has been selected by the user of the radio receiver; and the radio receiver Iii will then be energized through the switches 22 and 23 or rotary switch 24 or 25 for fifteen minutes.

Thus, any fifteen minute interval may be selected throughout the day, and it will be evident that the rotary switch 24, 25 will energize the receiver when that time of day arrives; but during the intervals or periods not selected, the radio receiver will not be energized, due to lack of closing of the corresponding push button switches 22, 23.

The clock I4 is not controlled by the switch arm 25, and therefore, like any other electric clock, it runs continuously. The electric motortfl is connected to one side of the line by the conductor 30 and switch 21; and when the switch 28 is open and switch 21 is closed, the motor 29 has its other terminal connected through conductor 3!, and conductor 26, to the rotary switch 25. Under these conditions this motor is also controlled by the rotary switch; and when the rotary switch reaches a segment corresponding to a desired period of operation, the electric motor 29 is energized to actuate a tuning mechanism.

The switch 32 is so arranged that after the tuning mechanism has tuned the radio to the station desired for that period, switch 32 will be opened and the motor 29 will be shut off until it is again energized by the rotary switch 24, 25.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the control panel 20 also supports the usual tuning dial 33, which is visible behind a window 34, and actuated by tuning knob 35. The knob St is that of the combined switch and volume control, while the knob 31 may be the usual tone control. The knob 38 is that carried by a rod 39, which is used for de clutching the bank of condensers 40 from the automatic tuning mechanism (Fig. 1)

This may be accomplished by providing the shaft 41! with a tapered portion 42, which is surrounded by a tapered collar 43 carried by the drive wheel 44. The drive wheel 44 may have a ring 45 slidably mounted in guides 46 and connected to the rod 39 so that when the rod 39 is pulled to the left in Fig. 1 the collar 43 is declutched from the tapered drive surface 42.

Thus it is possible to declutch the condensers 46 from the controlling mechanism of the automatic selector so that the tuning can be accomplished by hand in the usual way.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, these are views showing the mechanism of the selector. The automatic selector mechanism is preferably mounted upon a support, which may consist of a plurality of plates or panels 58, 5|, 52, 53, 54. These plates are secured in parallel relation by suitable transverse frame members 55, which may comprise rods and spacers, each provided with a head and nut for clamping the plates and spacers t0- gether. Any suitable number of such frame members may be used.

The panel 50 may fixedly support a suitable insulating collar 56, which has a multiplicity of bores 5! arranged in circles to receive the push buttons 22, 23. These bores 5'! also house the resilient leaf contacts 58, which form a part of each push button switch 22, 23, and which are bridged by a metallic part on the stem of the push button, when the push button is pushed in.

The push button preferably has a resilient detent 59 to hold it in either of its on or off positions. The push button switches are preferably closed when the button is pushed in, but any type of switch may be used.

The collar 55 is provided with an interior circular bore 68, having a suitable guide rib 5! for slidably engaging in a groove 62 in a rotating complementary collar 53. The collar 53 may have a sliding contact in the bore fiil, or it may be suitably mounted upon roller or ball bearings. Collars 56 and 53 are provided with outer flush surfaces at the face of the panel 50, and the collar 53 has a multiplicity of recesses or sockets I83 adapted to be used in moving this collar rotatively by means of a suitable selector button 64 (Fig. 1).

The collar 63 is likewise provided with an internal cylindrical bore 65, which may have a guide groove 65 for receiving a rib 6? carried by another collar 68. The collar 68 is thus rotatably mounted inside the collar 53, and it l kewise may have a sliding contact or be provided with roller or ball bearings.

The collar 68 also has an inner cylindrical bore 15, which is adapted to house the casing of the clock l4. The clock l4 may have a cylindrical housing 7!, which fits in the bore 10 with a suitable clearance, and it may be supported by three or more rods 72, which pass through the rear wall of the housing If and are fixedly secured thereto, and are also fixedly secured to the plate 52. The clock is thus held in fixed relation with respect to the framework; but the collars 58, 53 are adapted to be rotated with respect to this framework.

The controller drum l3 may consist of a metallic cylinder which is provided with a multiplicity of annular members 14 fixedly mounted on said cylinder I3, and performing the same function as a multiplicity of discs. These discs would otherwise cause the apparatus to assume a considerable weight on account of the area of the disc required and the necessary weight of the metal; and by using a cylinder is we are enabled to use only the outer annular portion of each disc.

Each annular member M represents one of the fifteen minute intervals of time, corresponding to one of the push button switches 22 or 25 for the twenty-four hours of the day, although it should also be understood that automatic selectors may be provided for automatic selection of only a part of the day.

Each annular member I4 is provided with a serrated outer edge l5, as shown in Fig. 3, thus making these members in effect ratchet wheels, which will permit a pawl to slide over the teeth in one direction; but which detain it against motion in the other direction. The annular mem bers I4 are all fixedly mounted on the cylinder 15, but are provided with annular members 55 between them, which are slidably mounted on the cylinder 13 and provided with an outwardly projecting arm I! (Fig. l).

These outwardly projecting arms may be formed with a projecting point iii which is adapted to actuate certain other mechanism in the control of the receiver. The arms 5''? may also be provided with radially extending slots id for receiving the sliding pawl. 89, which has a. tooth 8i with a radial shoulder 82 and a beveled face 83. The pawl 53 comprises a T-shaped member, the stem of the T slidably fitting in the slot '59 and projecting from one side of the "if, while the top of the T slidably engages the other side.

The pawl is held in the slot by means of a wire spring 04, which passes through. the stem of the T-shaped pawl body on the back side of the arm ll, and which has its opposite end secured in a hole 85 in the arm Tl. The spring 84 tends to push the pawl 80 dovmwardin its siot l5 and to keep it in engagement with the teeth of the annular member it. The beveled shoulder slides freely over the beveled edges of the teeth '55, but upon reverse movement the radial shoulder 82 engages the radial shoulder of a tooth, preventing a reverse movement of the arm ll. Thus the arms ll and the annular member "it may rotate freely toward the right Fig. but cannot rotate toward the left in Fig. a relative to the teeth 2'5.

While only a few of the arms ii are seen at the top of Fig. 1, this is due to the fact that all of these arms may have different adjustments so as to control the tuning of the receiver to different stations at different times.

The collar 95 has secured to its rear side the attaching flange 85 of a cylindrical or frustoconical metal member ill. This metal member 8? may be frusto-conical, as shown, or it may be cylindrical, or it may consist of a plurality of separate arms. The frusto-conical metal flange Bl has an inner and inwardly projecting attaching flange 80, which carries a plurality of rods 89.

The rods 89 are long enough to extend through the cylinder #3, and at their right ends they are all secured to a metal ring 00.

The rods i2, previously mentioned as being carried by the framework, comprising the plate 52, may support the rollers 95, 92, which are adapted to engage the annular tracks 03, 94., carried by the rods 85.

The tracks 93, 99 are conveniently made as having retaining flanges on both sides of the rollers 95, and thus the assembly, comprising the rods 89, the tracks 93, 94, flange 31, and collar is rotatably mounted with respect to the clock.

The annular tracks 53, 9d also have guide flanges projecting in the opposite direction, that is, outwardly, to engage the rollers 95, 9B, which are carried by the end flanges of the cylinder 13. The cylinder '23 is also secured by an annular member 57!, which may be Z-shaped in section, to the collar 53. Any number of rollers 9!, 92, 95, 96 may be used, preferably three or more, and preferably equally spaced about the periphery of the tracks or guides 93, 94 so that the cylinder I3 is thus rotatably mounted with respect to the collar 58 on the rollers 95,

The clock I4 is provided with a drive shaft 98, which may extend through the cylinder 13 and through the plates 52, 53, which are provided with suitable bearings. A pinion 99, carried by clock shaft 98, engages a gear whee1 I00, carried by a stub shaft lei, which is rotatably mounted in hearings in the plates 53, 54. Stub shaft IOI may be provided with an insulating head I02 for supporting the switch arm 25, which wipes across a multiplicity of segmental contacts 24, carried by an insulating annulus 25a on the plate 54.

The opposite end of the arm 25 may have continuous contact with an annular contact I03, supported by the insulating member I04. Thus the switch arm 25 is continuously driven by the clock motor, and it wipes over the contacts 24, one of which is provided for each fifteen minute interval of time over the period of time through which control is to be effected.

The segmental contacts 24 correspond in their width in the direction of the arc of movement of the arm 25, to the interval of fifteen minutes, and are separated by slots or insulating strips I04a, but the switch arm 25 may be of sufficient width so that it strikes the next contact 24 before it has wholly broken cont-act with the last contact 24. Thus one of the segments 24 is always in contact with the switch arm 25; and it does not matter that the next segment is also connected, as the circuit is broken elsewhere until the proper moment is reached by the clock mechanism.

The framework, including the plates 50-54, also supports a screw shaft I05 (Fig. 1) which rotatably mounted in bearings in the plates 5| and 53. The screw shaft is also driven by the clock shaft 93 through the following gearings.

Screw shaft I05 is provided with a large gear wheel I06, which is fixedly mounted thereon, to rotate the shaft, and which meshes with an intermediate gear wheel I01, having a meshing engagement with a pinion I08. The intermediate gear wheel I0! is mounted upon a stub shaft I09, and the pinion I08 is mounted upon the clock shaft 98. Thus the screw shaft I05 is driven at a low rate of speed in order to cause a follower H9 to progress from left to right in Fig. 1, in accordance with the movements of the clock shaft.

The position of the follower I I0 at any time corresponds to the time of the day, and the follower I I0 is in position at the time of beginning of any predetermined fifteen minute interval to be actuated by a certain corresponding projecting arm 11, which is to control the tuning of the receiver for a predetermined station at that time.

The shaft I05 is rotated by the gears in such manner as to cause the follower I I to move toward the right, and it is returned by means of the mechanism shown in Fig. 9, at the end of the complete period of time, such as twenty-four hours.

Referring to Fig. 9, the fragment of the plate 52 is shown as a supporting member provided with a bearing for the screw shaft I05. The screw shaft I is provided with a sliding clutching member III, which is suitably keyed to the shaft to rotate therewith, but which is provided with a sliding annular member H2 located in a slot H3 and connected to a rod I I4. The rod H4 is provided with a pair of adjustable shoulders H5 which are adapted to be engaged by a part carried by the follower H0, at the ends of the limits of travel of the follower H0.

Thus the follower H0 is adapted to throw the clutch III into engagement with the clutch collar H8 when the follower arrives at the right hand end of its range of travel. The follower I I0 is adapted to throw the clutch collar III out of engagement with the clutch collar H8 when the follower H0 arrives at the left hand limit of its range of travel by means of the rod H4.

The gear H5 houses a coil spring II'I, one end of which is secured to the gear, and the other end of which is secured to an outer clutch member I I8. The gear I I6 is rotatably mounted on the plate 52 by means of a groove I20 and complementary annular track I2! carried by the plate 52. The specific mode of rotatably mounting the gear H6 is merely diagrammatic, and any suitable form of rotatable mounting may be employed with means to hold the gear I I6 against its track.

The plate 52 is provided with a spring pressed detent I22 adapted to engage a slot in the spring driven clutch collar H3 so as to hold that clutch collar in fixed position whenever the clutch collar II is out of engagement with the collar I I8.

The spring detent I22 projects downward far enough to be engaged by the inner clutch collar III and forced back out of engagement with the clutch collar H8 when the two clutch collars are in engagement with each other.

Referring to Fig. l, the gear wheel H6 meshes with a gear wheel I23, rotatably mounted on a stub shaft on the plate 52, which gear in turn meshes with a pinion I24 carried by the motor shaft I25.

The electric motor 29 is thus adapted to drive the gear I I6, and when the motor 29 is turned on, the gear I IE will rotate. Assuming that the clutch collar III is de-energized, the clutch collar H8 will be held in fixed position by the detent I22, and the spring I I! will be wound up. This winding action takes place during the time when the follower III] is progressing from the furthermost left hand position in Fig. 1 to the furthermost right hand position.

When the follower moves to the right far enough to reach the limit of its travel, it will cause the clutch collars I I I and I I8 to become engaged and release the clutch collar H8 from the detent I22, which is pushed back toward the right. The shaft I05 is then in position to be driven by the spring III, which unwinds and drives the shaft I05 in the opposite direction, returning the follower H0 to its initial position.

Referring to Fig. 9, it will be noted that the clutch collar III is connected to a second clutch collar I30, which is adapted to release the driving engagement between the shaft I05 and the gear I06 when the spring I I1 is driving the screw shaft I05 in a reverse direction. Thus the driving connection from the clock is momentarily cut off, while the follower H0 is being returned. When the follower H0 strikes the stop H5 at the left end of the travel, the clutch collar III is again drawn out, and the clutch collar I30 thrown in, so that the follower is again under the control of the clock.

The motor shaft I25 is also provided with a sprocket pinion I3! for engagement with a drive chain I32, which extends upward and engages the sprocket I 33, carried by the control drum I3. The control drum I3 is also provided with a pulley I34, formed by a groove adjacent its opposite end and engaging a belt I35 for driving pulley 44 carried by sleeve 43. Pulley 44 and sleeve 43 are adapted to drive the bank of condensers 40 from the control drum.

The motor 29 may thus move the control drum to a predetermined position, moving with it the condensers in order to effect a tuning of the radio receiver. The foliower H0 is shown in side elevation in Fig. 3, and it consists of a metal body having an inner threaded bore I37 for engagement with the complementary threads on the screw shaft I05. This follower has a pair of laterally projecting lugs I38 provided with bores for slidably receiving the guide rods I39, which prevent the follower from rotating as it moves along the screw shaft I05.

The follower i I0 is provided with another laterally projecting pivoted lug I 30, which pivotally supports a controlling arm MI by means of a pin I42. The controlling arm !4! may consist of a metal member having mounted on it a spring pressed plunger I43. Plunger I 43 has its upper end formed to engage any one of the arms 18, and is spring pressed to permit the necessar shortening of the plunger as the controlling drum rotates slightly in the actuation of the arm. Stop members I44, I45 limit the movement of the arm I 4! to the range of movement shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Normally the arm I 4! is in the full line position, and it is moved into the dotted line position when it is engaged by one of the projecting arms I8 on the drum I3. The lower end of the arm I4! is adapted to engage a rod I45, which is pivotally mounted by means of radially extending arms I 41, I48, and extends the full effective length of the screw shaft I05. The rod I46 is pivotally mounted by means of a second rod I40, having bearings in the plates 5! and I50; and the rod I46 is provided at its end with a cam-shaped formation I5I, shown in Fig. '7.

Cam I5! is adapted to actuate the push button I52 of a micro-switch 32 of conventional shape, so that when the rod M5 is moved from the full line position of Fig. 2 to the dotted line position by the controlling arm MI, the switch is opened.

The operation of the automatic selector is as follows: The projecting arms l? on the drum 13 are each set by a mechanism later to be described, so as to correspond to the proper tuned position of the condensers dB for the station desired at the particular time, which corresponds to the longitudinal position of the arm I! on the drum.

The clock I4 operates continuously, and the clock control switch arm 25 moves with it to connect the driving member 29 in circuit at the appropriate time. The driving motor 29 will not be energized, due to its circuit, unless the push buttons 22 or 23 are closed, indicating that the operator desires radio operation at that time.

For the purpose of explanation, let us assume that the follower III? is located in the leftmost position on the screw shaft H35 and the time is 12:00 oclock noon. At 12:00 oc-lock the switch 25 will close the circuit through the motor 2Q, assuming that the corresponding push button is in closed position; and the motor 29 will be actuated to rotate the drum I3. The follower Ht will be in a position at the left end of the screw shaft I95 to engage the projecting ratchet arm TI when the drum rotates in a clockwise direction in Fig. 3 into position for the ratchet arm I? to engage the arm I4 I.

The rotation of the ratchet arm 'I'I after it engages the plunger of the arm I iI will move the arm MI from the full line position of Fig. 3 to the dotted line position. This will cause a corresponding movement of the rod I46, and the cam I5I will engage push button I52 of switch 32 and open the motor circuit.

The drum will then stop in a predetermined position, which is determined by the position of the ratchet arm I? on the drum. This position having been predetermined so that the condensers will then be tuned for a certain station, the receiver is in tuned condition for the station desired; and the motor circuit will be kept open by the switch 32 as long as the corresponding ratchet arm I1 engages the plunger arm I45 and holds it in the dotted line position of Fig. 2.

This condition will continue until the progress of the follower Ill), due to the operation of the clock, causes it to move sidewise off the edge of the plunger arm II, which requires an interval of fifteen minutes. When a time of fifteen minutes has elapsed, the lateral movement of the follower II!) will move the arm MI out of engagement with the ratchet arm TI of the drum; and the motor will then be cut in circuit at that time. The circuit will have been closed already by the switch arm 25, which is actuated by the clock, and moved to the next segment because that switch arm is wide enough to engage the next segment before it leaves the last one.

Thus the motor 29 will again be energized to drive the drum and move it to a new position, which will effect a new tuning of the receiver. In case the same station is desired for a plurality of periods of time, the ratchet arms II will accordingly be set side by side, and the plunger I 13 will slide from one ratchet arm directly to the other. In order to facilitate this operation, the width of the plunger arm M3 may be slightly greater than the gap between two successive ratchet arms II, so that the plunger its will slide from one point :3 to the next point and engage the next point I8 before leaving the last one.

It will thus be observed that the present device is adapted to effect automatic tuning and to cause the receiver to play automatically any of a predetermined number of stations at predetermined times.

When the follower IIJ reaches the right hand limit of its motion in Fig. 1, it will engage a stop shoulder H5, actuating the rod lid to declutch the shaft I95 from the clock motor. The same action causes the shaft Iiiii to be brought into clutching engagement with the clutch collar IIE, which is actuated by spring E II, and. which is thereby released from the detent I22. The spring III then quickly drives the screw shaft M35 in the opposite direction until the follower III! has been brought back to the initial position at the left hand of Fig. 1. In the event that there is a possibility of any of the ratchet arms II being in the way of the plunger I 43 during this movement, the arm MI may have a spring-driven swivel movement upon its bearing lug, so as to permit a slight sidewise motion of the plunger to pass over any intervening ratchet arms I! during the resetting of the follower, which is also accomplished automatically.

We shah now describe the mechanism for effecting a setting of the ratchet arms I! from the panel of the instrument at will. The annular track member d3 is provided at its right face with an annular member I55, having gear teeth on its periphery and adapted to engage with a smaller spur gear led supported upon a stub shaft I51.

Shaft I5? drives a pinion I58 which meshes with spur gear I59 mounted on the stub shaft. Spur gear 559 has attached to it a cam I60. The cam Ileil is adapted to actuate a spring-pressed plunger I61, which is maintained in engagement with the cam by the spring E52. Plunger I6I has secured to its end a spring member !63 which is slidably mounted between a ratchet wheel IE4 and a shield I55. The ratchet wheel I84 is fixedly mounted on the shaft I65. The shaft I66 comprises another screw shaft for the purpose of supporting another follower, which is used as an obstruction or stop member in the setting of the ratchet arms II.

The shaft I55 supports a screw follower I68 having an upwardly projecting arm I69 for engaging the ratchet arms "II in the setting of the machine. I78 indicates a pair of guide members for the follower, similar to those previously described. The gear IB'I is similar in construction to the gear lit previously described, so that it has a spring I i! also adapted to be wound up, and it has clutches adapted to disconnect the gear IEi'i from the shaft I68; and at the end of the setting operation the spring I II of that gear, which has been wound up, returns the follower I 68 to its initial position.

The space between the ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel li i is such that one actuation of the ratchet whel I54 corresponds to the space between two of the ratchet arms II. It is intended that the user may wish to set the automatic selector daily; and consequently the spring III of the gear It? will only be wound up by an amount w ich corresponds to a twenty-four hour travel of the follower I58, the travel being, however, accomplished in a few minutes, while the setting operation is going on.

In order to accomplish a setting of the ratchet arms TI. they should all first be brought to the zero position. This is done by means of an auxiliary stop mechanism comprising a laterally extending bar I? i. This bar I II is carried by a pair of arms I'IZ, one at each end, which are pivotally mounted upon a rod I73, by means of sleeve I14. The same sleeve I'M carries another actuating arm H5, which is adapted to be engaged by a sliding cam H5 carried by a spring pressed plunger III havin a button I78 projecting from the front of the panel.

The dial is provided with a pointer I19 or a stop 58?. and, as previously described, the collar 68 is provided with the push button 64 having a pin 35. The collar 63 has a reset socket I82, into which the pin I8! may be inserted when the push button 64 is pulled out.

In order to set all of the ratchet arms TI to zero position, the push button 64 is pulled out and then pushed in with its pin IBI in the socket I82 of the collar 68. The initial position of the stop arm I69 in Fig. 1 is at the left in such position as to clear adjacent ratchet arm 11 on the drum I3. When the drum is rotated once, this will bring that stop arm I69 over into position to engage the first ratchet arm 11.

Stop I80 is capable of being turned to inoperative position so that it does not interfere with operation of the selector, after setting has been accomplished.

The push button I18 is held in by the operator, which raises the rod III into position to engage all of the ratchet arms 11. While the push button I18 is held, the operator takes hold of the button 64, which has its pin I8I in recess I82, and causes the button 64 to revolve about the axis of the clock one revolution in a counter-clockwise direction.

During this motion, each of the ratchet arms 11 is moved down into engagement with the rods "I, after which it can move no farther; and due to the action of the pawl 8I, the arm thereafter slides over the teeth I on the corresponding ratchet wheel or disc, and finally, at the end of the single revolution, all of the arms are brought into alignment, engaging the rod I1 I.

We now have all of the ratchet arms 11 at zero position, ready for resetting of the automatic selector. The operator may then pull the push button 64 out, and may cause the push button 64 to revolve counter-clockwise until the pin I8I registers with one of the recesses I83, which are shown at the top of the dial in Fig. 2. These recesses comprise circular bores adapted to receive the pin I8I, and each recess corresponds to a tuned position of the dial which controls the condensers 40. The recesses are so close together that each one represents one scale division, thereby permitting automatic tuning to an accuracy of one scale division.

The first setting will be that for the period of fifteen minutes from 12:00 to 12:15; and the operator must push the pin I8I into a recess I83, corresponding to the station desired for that period.

The pin I8I, having been seated in that recess I83, push button 64 will then be used for rotating the drum in a counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 2, until the push button 64 comes into engagement with the stop I80 or registry with the pointer H9. The first arm has then been set to proper position to tune the receiver at the station desired for the period of time in question.

The setting is accomplished automatically by the engagement of the stop arm I69 on the follower I68 with the corresponding ratch arm II, which in this case was the first one. The setting of that arm took a complete rotation of the collar 68, and one rotation of the collar 68 is adapted to effect one rotation of the cam I60 through the intermediate gears.

The cam I60 is adapted to cause the resilient pawl I63 to move down between the shield I65 and the ratchet wheel I64 to grip the next tooth On the ratchet wheel I64; and when the shoulder of the cam I60 is reached, the plunger I6I moves inward, due to the pressure of spring I62, and the pawl I63 pulls the ratchet wheel I64 around one step. This step provides sufficient rotation so that the follower I68 moves axially on the screw shaft I66 sufliciently to bring the stop arm I69 into position to engage the next ratchet arm 'II.

It will thus be observed that it is the complete single rotation of the collar 68 which causes the follower, which bears the stop arm I69, to progress along its screw so as to be ready to set the next arm.

It should be remembered that the first stop ratchet arm I? has been engaged by the stop I69 in the setting operation, and its pawl has slid over the teeth until the drum came to rest. During this time all of the other unset ratchet arms I! have passed beyond the zero position; and some provision must be made before the next setting operation, to bring them back to zero position. This could not be done by the rod I'll because that would also reset the first ratchet arm ll. It is accomplished by the following mechanism.

The collar 63 is provided with a coil spring I84, having one end attached to the collar 63, and the other end attached to a toothed ring I85, which is slidably mounted in a track. When desired, this may be released so that the spring is without tension; but during the setting operation a plunger I86, having a push button I87 on the panel, may be pushed in between two of the teeth of the ring I to hold the outer end of the spring in fixed position.

This is done while the ratchet arms 'I'I are all in zero position. Then, after the operator brings the first ratchet arm to its setting, with the button 64 at the stop I80, the operator may pull out the button 64; and the spring I84 will then automatically turn the collar 63 backward by an amount equal to the forward rotation of the collar. In other words, the counter-clockwise movement of the collar 63 has wound up the spring I84. The spring then unwinds and carries back all of the remaining unset ratchet arms and the drum tothe zero position. We are now ready to set the next ratchet arm.

Having set the first ratchet arm TI, the operator disengages the pin I8I'; and then moving only the collar 68, by mean-s of the push button 64, in a counter-clockwise direction, the push button 66 is moved around until the next station is se lected. The apertures I83 have beside them the numerals indicating the wave length or indications of stations. The pin I8I is then pushed in to the aperture I93, corresponding to the next station; and the collar 68, together with the collar 63, continues the rotation in a counterclockwise direction by means of button 64 around to the zero position or stop I80. The second stop arm I7 has then been set in proper position for the desired station.

This setting is continued in the same manner until all of the remaining arms have been set.

In case there are certain periods of time during which no station selection is desired, the operator merely pulls the button 64 out and gives the push button and collar 68 one counterclockwise rotation for each unused fifteen minute period, solely for the purpose of causing the follower I68 to progress along its screw shaft I66 sufiiciently to bring the arm I69 into position adjacent the ratchet arms 11, which he does wish to adjust. After the adjustment of the automatic selector has been accomplished, the push button I8! is pulled out so as to release the spring I84 for free rotation with the drum I3.

It has already been pointed out how the switch 2'! (Fig. 8) may be opened and the switch 28 closed in order to energize the radio receiver directly from the line and to disconnect it from the control of the clock. It has also been pointed out how the tuning condensers 48 may be de 13 clutched from the wheel 44 by pulling on the rod 39 in order to permit the operator to tune the receiver at any time and remove it from the control of the automatic selector.

It will be noted that when the ratchet arms 11 were set, that was accomplished by causing them to slide in a clockwise direction with respect to the ratchet wheels T4; but when the ratchet arms ii are accomplishing their tuning function, the ratchet wheels 74 are moving in the opposite direction, and carry with them the ratchet arms l1.

It will thus be observed that we have invented an automatic selector and tuning device for radio receivers, by means of Which any stations may be selected for any predetermined period of time. Since the shortest interval of time usually employed for a program is fifteen minutes, we have illustrated our device in connection. with an arrangement for fifteen minute intervals.

Such a device would have four times twentyfour, or ninety-six separate ratchet discs on its drum for controlling the operation of the receiver throughout the twenty-four hours of the day. It should, of course, be understood that any number of controlling ratchet wheels and arms may be used and that if a control is desired only for a few hours of the day, smaller and simpler construction may be employed.

Our selector permits the operator to select his stations by means of controlling devices on the front of the panel, and his selections may be changed from day to day. Even though the selector is set, stations may be cut out of operation by the control of the push buttons 22, so that the radio receiver will only play during the intervals desired. The receiver may be so arranged with our selector that as soon a pre determined program comes on. the air, at the predetermined time, the radio receiver is turned on, tuned, and the attention of the user is called to the program by the receiver itself.

A user of our automa ic selector with a radio receiver need not any program which he desires. as the selector receiver constitute a reminder of the time for the program. The automatic selector and the receiver may be used as an alarm for waking the user at a predetermined time in the morning, by means of a suitable or desired program, which will be turned on at the proper time.

While we have illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention, many modifications may be made without depar. from the spirit of the invention, and we do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In an automatic selector for radio receivers, the combination of a support with an electrically driven 'hronometer carried by said support, an annular member rotatably mounted about said chronometer and secured to a pair of annular tracks, said annular tracks being rotatably mounted upon rotating members carried by said chronometer, a selector drum rotatably mounted upon said tracks and secured to a second annular member surrounding said chronometer, a plurality of actuating arms carried by said drum, and means for adjusting the position of said arms on the periphe'ryof said drum by means of said annular member's, located about said chron'o'meter,

whereby the position of the selector arms may be adjusted from the panel of the selector.

2. In an automatic selector for radio receivers, the combination of a support with an electrically driven chrouolneter carried by said support, an annular membe rotatably mounted about said chronometer and secured to a pair of annular tracks, said annular tracks being rotatably mounted upon rotating members carried by said chronometer, a selector drum rotatably mounted upon said tracks and secured to a second annular member surrounding said chronometer, a plurality of actuating arms carried by said drum, and means for adjusting the position of said arms on the periphery of said. drum by means of said annular members, located about said chronometer, whereby the position of the selector arms may be adjusted from the panel of th selector, said supporting a plurality of annular metal members provided with teeth, and each of said arms having a pawl engaging the teeth of one of said annular members, and stop means whereby when the drum is rotated in one direction the selected arms may be caused to assume a predetermined position on said drum by engagement of said stop means while the drum is being rotated.

3. In an automatic selector for radio receivers, a combination of a support with an electrically driven chronometer carried by said support, an annular member rotatably mounted about said chronometer and secured to apair of annular tracks, said annular tracks being rotatably niounter upon rotating members carried by said chroncmeter, a selector drum rotatably mounted upon said tracks and secured to a second annular member surrounding said ehronometer, a plurality of actuating arms carried by said drum, and means for adjusting the position of said arms on the periphery of said drum by means of said annular members, located about said chronometer, whereby the position of the selector arms may be adjusted from the panel or the selector, drum supporting a plurality of annular metal members provided with teeth, and each of said arms having a pawl engaging the teeth of one of said annular members, and stop means whereby when the drum is rotated in one direction the selected arms may be caused to assume a predetermined position on said drum by engagement of said step means while the drum is being rotated, and a controlling switch adapted to be actuated by said arms.

4. In automatic selector for radio receivers, the combination of a support with an electrically driven chronometer carried by said support, an annular member rotatably mounted about said chronorneter and secured to a pair of annular tracks, said annular tracks being rotatably mounted upon rotating members carried by said chronometer, a selector drum rotatably mounted upon said tracks and secured to a second annular member surrounding said chronometer, a plurality of actuating arms carried by said drum, ....1d means LOT adjusting the position of said arms on the periphery of said drum by means of said annular members, located about said chronometer, whereby the position of the actor arms may be adjusted from the panel of the selector, drum supporting a plurality of annular metal members provided with teeth, and each of said arms having a pawl engaging the teeth of one of said annular members. and stop means whereby when the drum is rotated in one direction the selected arms may be caused to assume a predetermined position on said drum by engagement of said stop means while the drum is being rotated, and a controlling switch adapted to be actuated by said arms, said switch being actuated by a member which is caused to progress in a direction axially of said drum, whereby said latter member is adapted to be brought into predetermined position at a predetermined time by means of said chronometer.

5. In an automatic selector for radio receivers, the combination oi a support with an electrically driven chronometer carried by said support, an annular member rotatably mounted about said chronometer and secured to a pair of annular tracks, said annular tracks being rotatably mounted upon rotating members carried by said chronometer, a selector drum rotatably mounted upon said tracks and secured to a second annular member surrounding said chronometer, a plurality of actuating arms carried by said drum, and means for adjusting the position of said arms on the periphery of said drum by means of said annular members, located about said chro-- nometer, whereby the position of the selector arms may be adjusted from the panel of the selector, said drum supporting a plurality of annular metal members provided with teeth, and each of said arms having a pawl engaging the teeth of one of said annular members, and stop means whereby when the drum is rotated in one direction the selected arms may be caused to assume a predetermined position on said drum by engagement of said stop means while the drum is being rotated, and a controlling switch adapted to be actuated by said arms, and means for driving the tuning element of a radio receiver from said drum.

6. In a setting mechanism for an automatic selector for radio receivers, comprising a rotating drum, a plurality of ratchet wheels mounted on said drum in fixed relation thereto, a plurality of ratchet arms rotatably mounted on said drum, each ratchet arm having a pawl engaging a ratchet wheel and permitting relative movement between the arms and wheels, a manually controllable stop arm adapted to be brought into position to engage all of said ratchet arms, and means for rotating said drum whereby all of the ratchet arms may be brought to a zero position by engagement with said stop arm.

'7. In a setting mechanism for an automatic selector for radio receivers, comprising a rotating drum, a plurality of ratchet wheels mounted on said drum in fixed relation thereto, a plurality of ratchet arms rotatably mounted on said drum, each ratchet arm having a pawl err-- gaging a ratchet wheel, a manually controllable stop arm adapted to be brought into position simultaneously to engage all of said ratchet arms, and means for rotating said drum whereby all of the ratchet arms may be brought to a zero position, and a stop member carried by a screw follower, said stop member being adapted to progress axially of said drum, whereby it is adapted to be brought into alignment with each of said ratchet arms, and means for rotating the drum whereby the ratchet arms may be successively displaced about the periphery of said drum in accordance with a setting desired to correspond to the position of a tuning element on the radio receiver.

8. In a setting mechanism for an automatic selector for radio receivers, comprising a rotating drum, a plurality of ratchet wheels mounted on said drum in fixed relation thereto, a plurality of ratchet arms rotatably mounted on said drum, each ratchet arm having a pawl engaging a ratchet wheel, a manually controllable stop arm adapted to be brought into position simultaneously to engage all of said ratchet arms, means for rotating said drum whereby all of the ratchet arms may be brought to a zero position, a stop member carried by a screw follower, said stop member being adapted to progress axially of said drum, whereby it is adapted to be brought into alignment with each of said ratchet arms, means for rotating the drum whereby the ratchet arms may be successively displaced about the periphery of said drum in accordance with a setting desired to correspond to the position of a tuning element on the radio receiver, and a step-by-step mechanism for actuating said follower whereby the follower is moved into position to engage the next ratchet arm, in accordance with the completion of the setting of the last ratchet arm.

9. In a setting mechanism for an automatic selector for radio receivers, comprising a rotating drum, a plurality of ratchet wheels mounted on said drum in fixed relation thereto, a plurality of ratchet arms rotatably mounted on said drum, each ratchet arm having a pawl engaging a ratchet wheel, a manually controllable stop arm adapted to be brought into position to engage all of said ratchet arms, means for rotating said drum whereby all of the ratchet arms may be brought to a zero position, a stop member carried by a screw follower, said stop member being adapted to progress axially of said drum, whereby it is adapted to be brought into alignment with each of said ratchet arms, means for rotating the drum selected distances from the zero nosit on whereby the ratchet arms may be successively displaced about the periphery of said drum in accordance with a setting desired to correspond to the position of a tuning element on the radio receiver, and a stepby-step mechanism for actuating said follower whereby the follower is moved into position to engage the next ratchet arm, in accordance with the completion of the setting of the last ratchet arm, and resilient means for bringing the drum with all of the unset ratchet arms back to the zero position at the end of each setting operation.

10. In a setting mechanism for an automatic selector for radio receivers, comprising a rotating drum, a plurality of ratchet wheels mounted on said drum in fixed relation thereto, a plurality of ratchet arms rotatably mounted on said drum, each ratchet arm having a pawl engaging a ratchet wheel, a manually controllable stop arm adapted to be brought into position to engage all of said ratchet arms, means for rotating said drum whereby all of the ratchet arms may be brought to a zero position, a stop member carried by a screw follower, said stop member being adapted to progress axially of said drum, whereby it is adapted to be brought into alignment with each of said ratchet arms, means for rotating the drum whereby the ratchet arms may be successively displaced about the periphery of said drum in accordance with a setting desired to correspond to the position of a tuning element on the radio receiver, and a step-by-step mechanism for actuating said follower whereby the follower is moved into position to engage the next ratchet arm, in accordance with the completion of the setting of the last ratchet arm, and resilient means for bringing the drum back to the zero position, with all of the unset ratchet arms, at the end of each setting operation, and meansfor releasing said 17 resilient means during the operation of the automatic selector.

11. In a setting mechanism for an automatic selector for radio receivers, the combination including a rotatable drum, a plurality of annular members fixedly mounted on said drum, an equal number of members rotatably mounted on said drum, each of the latter being associated with an adjacent one of said first-mentioned members, means permitting relative movement in one direction between said fixedly and rotatably mounted members, a manually operable stop arm adapted to be brought into a position wherein it engages all of said rotatably mounted members, and means for rotating said drum whereby all of the rotatably mounted members are moved relative to the fixedly mounted members and are brought into alignment in a zero position.

12. In a setting mechanism for an automatic selector for radio receivers, the combination including a rotatable drum, a plurality of annular members fixedly mounted on said drum, an equal number of members rotatably mounted on said drum, each of the latter being associated with an adjacent one of said first-mentioned members, means permitting relative movement in one direction between said fixedly and rotatably mounted members, rotatable means including a member operable from the exterior of the receiver for rotating said drum selected distances upon each rotation of said rotatable means, a stop member movable axially upon rotation of said last-mentioned means into alignment with successive rotatably mounted members whereby the latter are selectively displaced about the periphery of the drum upon rotation of said drum through selected distances.

13. In an automatic tuning device for radio receivers, the combination of a controlling drum provided with a plurality of radially projecting movably mounted arms, said arms being located at different positions axially of said drum, means operable from the exterior of the receiver for adjusting said arms to a position predetermined by the desired position of the tuning element, means for driving said drum, and a controlling device adapted to be actuated by said arms, and electric switch means controlled by a ohronometer whereby the driving means may be actuated at a predetermined time and caused to drive said. drum until one of said arms comes into engagement with a stop member at the tuned position.

JOHN LOLLI.

GENE PAPITTO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,906,709 Morin May 2, 1933 1,911,021 Gunther etal May 23, 1933 1,932,668 Lefebre Oct. 31, 1933 1,977,330 Weckler, Jr. Oct. 16, 1934 2,004,324 Heeren June 11, 1935 2,008,108 Petersen July 16, 1935 2,023,853 Paschali Dec. 10, 1935 2,029,779 Leahy, Jr. Feb. 4, 1936 2,048,872 Kohlsaat July 28, 1936 2,050,719 McClure Aug. 11, 1936 2,057,294 Duling Oct. 13, 1936 2,059,279 Rosenblum Nov. 3, 1936 2,072,897 Marschalk, Jr Mar. 9, 1937 2,073,417 Fox et a1. Mar. 9, 1937 2,075,257 Zadig Mar. 30, 1937 2,093,494 Stone Sept. 21, 1937 

